AUDIO

Scent of Triumph

by Jan Moran
10 CDs. 12:50 hrs. Dreamscape. Feb. 2017. ISBN 9781520066615. $59.99. 2 MP3-CDs. F
COPY ISBN
A premise with potential dissolves into a disappointing book: an implausible story of tragedy and aristocratic riches to rags and back to riches in World War II Europe and America. The novel abounds with excessive detail and contradictions. Protagonist Danielle Bretancourt von Hoffman develops perfumes. Her skill as a perfumer is meant to be her engine back to success, but the frequent pedantic asides into the world of scents and perfume making are more of a distraction than enhancement to the story. Erin Bennett's narration is effective, but it cannot rise above the work's intrinsic problems.
VERDICT The contrived plot and cardboard characters make this a nonessential purchase.
Reviewed by Cynthia Jensen, Plano P.L., TX , Aug 04, 2017
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